The Maximilian Kilman story is one many departments across Wolves should be proud of, according to sporting director Matt Hobbs.
In the space of six years a promising non-league footballer has grown into a Premier League ever-present, a captain and a role model for young players thanks to the hard work of managers, coaching staff and the background team, both past and present, as well as the 27-year-old himself.
His 2018 move from Maidenhead United to Molineux saw Kilman become the first footballer to directly move from non-league football to the Premier League in ten years, following in the footsteps of Chris Smalling and beginning a hugely successful period in old gold.
Today, that journey comes to the natural end of its cycle. A one-minute cameo off the bench in May 2019 turned out to be one of 151 appearances Kilman would make for the club which had become his home – all he’d known in the professional game.
On the day Kilman departs Molineux, Hobbs paid tribute to the hard work across the club, as well as the defender himself, which has led to a transfer which leaves all parties content.
Hobbs said: “It’s bittersweet for me, having brought Max in, but it feels like a deal which works for everybody. We’re getting a good fee and unbelievable return on investment, West Ham are getting a homegrown left-sided centre back and it’s a good story for Maidenhead. While it was tough, it also allows Max to get closer to his family in London.
“There are lots of people who take credit from this. He came in as an academy player under Rob Edwards, and he and Steve Davis put so much time into him. Dave Morrison did a lot of work on him physically, then Nuno took him and played a huge role, giving him opportunities. He got more minutes under Bruno and Julen made him captain – so many people have played a role, but the one consistent has been Max working his socks off all the way through.
“Because of who Max has been, and the length of time he’s been here, it’s hard to look at it as purely business, but it is a great achievement by the club. Joe Monk played a part in identifying Max and my thoughts were at worst he’d be a good Championship centre back. You can’t sign a boy from that level and be sure he’ll do what Max has done, but we thought Max’s physicality and technical ability would help Rob and that the club would never lose money on him.”
By his own admission, Kilman arrived as a quiet personality. Stepping into a group of big characters – Conor Coady, Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho to name a few – but with a hunger to learn and develop at the new elite level he found himself at proved a hugely beneficial trait.
Handed the trust of head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, often in the Europa League across 2019/20, Kilman gradually integrated into a fully-fledged first-team player, and by the time of Bruno Lage’s arrival in 2021, his name was one of the first on the teamsheet.
While still studying for a degree away from the pitch, Kilman was growing each season on it, and Neves’ departure 12 months ago presented an opportunity. Having already worn the armband for his 100th Wolves appearance against Chelsea, Kilman would do so for the final 44 of his Old Gold career too, having replaced the Portuguese as skipper.
“He’s unbelievably laid back and has always been a man of few words. He had a tough couple of years personally, but the way he handled it and didn’t let it affect him leaves you slightly in awe. He’s someone you can’t help but root for. I don’t know anyone at the club who would have a negative word about him. Maybe people will realise what he did on the pitch more now he’s left than when he was here.
“I remember the day he signed – a rabbit in the headlights. He’s grown, but at the same time remained the same level-headed guy, taking everything in his stride. Under Nuno he went in and played well but would be taken out and never moaned or knocked on the manager’s door. He just got his head down every day. His attitude hasn’t changed, but his maturity and stature has increased year on year.”
Only William Saliba of Arsenal could match Kilman’s record of playing every Premier League game as an outfield player last season, so replacement work is a necessity.
However, Hobbs and the recruitment team spent the whole year preparing for every eventuality. Hard work is a constant, to ensure various targets are in place for every position and now the club will benefit from that due diligence.
“It’s one we talked about a lot. It felt like the right thing for everybody. It enables us to look at the market and enables someone else to become a leader. When you lose anybody, it allows other people to become leaders, and that’s any team in the world. We have Yerson coming back, Santi is still relatively new and Toti is developing. It could be someone here steps up or we go into the market with these funds. It’s exciting what we can do, and we’d be looking to bring someone in who move us forward. Although it’s tough, it creates opportunities and that’s always exciting.
“We know who we like in every position, every day of the year. Things change, so it’s a constant moving piece of work, but we know the players we like, and Gary is calm because he’s excited by the ones in the group now. Yerson feels like a new signing because he’s been developing elsewhere. We know who we like and who will fit, but we won’t rush.
“This is football. Players, managers and staff move – it’s an industry like no other. If you’re resistant or worry about what you lose, it’s a tough industry to be in. When these things happen, it provides opportunities for people in the building or to bring people in. It’s about making good decisions.”
Kilman departs Molineux with 151 first-team appearances, three senior goals and an ever-present season as club captain. Hobbs’ final word was, naturally, one of love for the 27-year-old.
“We’ll see him soon in America hopefully. He doesn’t deserve to leave with anything but our best wishes. He’s not one who’s been on the phone to me about leaving, he was calm and trusted people would make the right decisions. For 36 games of the season I hope he does really well. He feels like one of our own, so it’s tough Max going, but I can be equally excited about moving the club forward, which is all I’m ever trying to do.”
